The Netherlands Has Set a Noble Example of Offering Brotherly Love to Refugees

Dutch Minister of Justice Ernst Hirsch Ballin

On Wednesday July 11, Golden Year 4 (2007), Association members from the Netherlands and Belgium presented the Shining World Leadership Award to the Dutch Minister of Justice Ernst Hirsch Ballin and the Dutch Government at the Ministry of Justice in The Hague. The recipients were given the Award for generously implementing an amnesty regulation to give amnesty permits to up to 30,000 refugees who applied for asylum before April 1, 2001.

Mrs. Jeannette Van der Kloet (right), Head of Protocol for the Ministry of Justice, accepts the Shining World Leadership Award on behalf of Minister Hirsch Ballin.

Mrs. Jeannette Van der Kloet, Head of Protocol for the Ministry of Justice, accepted the Award on behalf of Minister Hirsch Ballin. She expressed that Minister Hirsch Ballin was very grateful for the Award and happily surprised that people outside his country noticed the actions of the Dutch Government. When asked about the application process for amnesty permits and how the refugees will be cared for, Mrs. Van der Kloet replied that it includes a naturalisation course for all asylum seekers. This will help them adapt to the Dutch culture and western way of living, providing them with the counselling they need to begin a better life. The government has allocated 55 million Euros to implement the amnesty regulation.

By this compassionate act of offering a place of sanctuary and protection for refugees, the Netherlands has set a noble and benevolent example for other nations.

Mrs. Van der Kloet proudly holds the Award bestowed upon the Netherlands by Master.